Rapture, Raptors & Respect

So, it's another week of life on this planet earth. Lo and behold no planet shattering earthquake and no mass exodus of faithful followers into another realm of existence. This past Saturday as many people know was supposed to be what we of the Christian faith call the Rapture....well that's if you believed the specific teachings of certain preachers. Personally, I never subscribed to the May 21st ideas so It was really more of serious period of observation for me. The time leading up to the date in question allowed me to again view my peers as they expressed themselves concerning the upcoming Apocalypse.

To no real surprise the Internets were over flowing with "humor" and crude views on the Rapture topic. Many comical images and plays on the word rapture were popping up on blogs and tumblr sites. "Fear the Raptor", "The Raptor is Coming", etc, etc....those were cute but in addition to the jokes were those who saw this as merely another opportunity to bash the Christians. I'm not here to rally for my faith as truthfully no one disrespected me personally but on a whole I don't get the tone that overtakes so many when they log on. I have a simple Respect law. Watch your words towards Family, Friends & Faith. Those 3 F's are areas that I think as thoughtful adults you should show a a level of respect towards until your given a legit reason not to.

Is it because you can't physically see this higher power that folk degrade God. No matter what or whom you pray towards, I think it's one of the ultimate levels of tastelessness to act in such a manner. Maybe I'm just getting older and everything can't simply be excused as "jokes." When the basis of a whole faith/religion is the punchline of the joke it rarely THAT funny. That's not to mention the "Rapture" parties that were taking place to mock the the idea of what may have occurred. It kind of reminded me of Will Smith classic movie Independence Day where the people of the Invaded cities throw rooftop parties right under the Alien ships. It was fun to mock the situation until it got real. It all makes me wonder what is sacred in this society anymore. Everyone claims to "Not give a f**k." Is that true? Is existence really just one big punchline?

To all folk that matter to me I ask "What do you stand for?" "What is it that you represent?" There's never a comedic reply to that because while we all need laughter, we also need balance and respect. Don't we???

For some post May 21st Coverage hit here.

The Judgement Preacher Harold Camping Speaks

End of Days, Atheists, Anti-Christian Attittudes..........

May 21st End of Days Thoughts & Views from Nightfall 914 on Vimeo.

Nightfall speaks on the May 21st Doom's Day Predictions....

Freeway Speaks on Balancing Faith & Music

I've gained a lot of respect for Freeway since he first popped up on the Hip Hop Radar.

After the Jump Peep is most recent work, the video for "FLOW" shot on location at SXSW....

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I Can't Say This is a False Statement

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

— Mohandas Gandhi

Current Condition of the Black Church

Is the Black Church Dead?

I came the above article that asks the question "Is the Black Church Dead?" Yet uses "Dead" in a similar way to how Nas used it in "Hip Hop is Dead". It's not a full on end of existence but more like a serious departure from it's roots. Many of the things spoken on in this article are hard for me grasp. 25,000 people in a church, Financial Prosperity worship, etc,etc......is all a bit much for me and very far from what my church experience is.

I'm a part of a small church in NY. I don't know the culture of the southern "mega/super church". I don't trust things that large to be honest. And in almost 30 yrs of life I've never heard any messages of faith preached to me that would result in monetary gain. I do like the fact that this article shows that the "Black Church" is not some singular minded entity that has one way for seeing things and doing things. We differ just as every other aspect of society does.

I found this article to be an interesting read. Check it out if you have a few moments...

Excerpt 1 from Malice’s Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked (Book)

Malice's Book Excerpt #1 from Malice of the Clipse on Vimeo.

Better known for his cocaine flows and hustler rhymes Malice, 1 half of the Clipse drops his 1st visual excerpt from his upcoming book Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked. If this clip is any indication then a lot has or is currently changing for Malice. I'm interested where this goes.

Via Missinfo

It's Less About Him and More About You

So we get a new twist in a religious sex scandal.....it was one of us. A black guy. You know the end of the world is coming cuz things we never heard black folk doing are happening now. Anyway, a few people have asked my opinion on this so I' state my take on all this 1 time. If the allegations that are coming forward are true then "tuff break" for Pastor Long. It's an ugly, disgusting situation that will have far reaching effects especially in the minds of his church. But to be perfectly honest, when things like this happen I'm less concerned with the main figure of attention more so then I am interested in the actions or reactions of the viewing public. 

You see, if things are all true then Paster Long has already cast his lot and must deal with it, but what about you? No one is making us laugh at this, no one is making us turn this into an online joke. The way folk will flock to this situation as a way to bash religion is of more concern to me then the acts of this man. People will take this instance to cast religion as corrupt, fraudulent and perverse. Even if the FACTS scream to the opposite. The problem is that the functional churches go about their business affecting change, bringing up quality people and that gets no press no attention. If you take the churches that have had scandals multiply it by 10 you would still have a low end minority percentage of the churches in this nation. But a loud, ugly minority can many times overshadow a steady silent majority. Just look at the Tea Party.

I know my church experience is a "unique one" but then again so are these over the top evils of these selective churches as well. In the midst of all this is a silent middle class of functional faith followers that need to shine light on the truth that church isn't some standard cover up for immoral base activity.

I cut the pastor no slack but I am no judge. I'm shaking my head just as much at the long distance critics and keyboard attorneys as I do at the man accused of the crimes.

The Last Exorcism........

I've always been cautious on movies like this.....I dont play with spirits, demons, etc.....

Bill Maher on Islam

I don't really have an opinion on Bill. He's a funny and intelligent guy. But he's known for his non religious stands so it is what it is. I do think he lets the West off the hook for its extreme behavior at times. But Bill is always good for a nice listen.

Nerd Moment: Classic Dante's Inferno becomes Video Game

If only I had the time to play games like I used to. You can really get some frustatration out with this one. Not to mention that as a kid I thought Dante's Inferno was scary as HELL!(literally)

Game designers speak on Dante's Inferno such as Anger anad Lust.After the Jump!

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